Football notes: Compton scoring in the classroom as season approaches

This year’s Compton High team hasn’t just been working hard on the football field to prepare for the upcoming season — players have been putting in work in the classroom as well.

The Tarbabes already have three early academic qualifiers for the next level in defensive lineman Isaiah Mitchell, running back Aubrey Howze and linebacker James Price.

“School is the first priority before football,” says Price, who carries a 3.10 GPA and scored a 1,200 on his SAT. “I’m trying to set an example for my teammates and let them know that it’s not only football, it’s school also. That’s your way out — school and good grades.”

Head coach Brian Burks appreciates the work put in by his team, and hopes that it will set an example for the entire program. That’s a welcome change for a Compton program that has had athletes who were offered Division 1 scholarships but were unable to accept because of grades.

“Those three guys did excellent in the classroom this year,” said Burks of his qualifiers. “It even took the teachers by surprise, and those things count for a lot.”

Burks is hoping that momentum carries over into success this season, “maybe not in wins and losses, but maybe in a few scholarship offers for some of our qualifiers.”

Gahr High

Gahr High has been a rather high-scoring football team in recent times, doing a lot of its damage via the passing game. Over the past three years, the Gladiators have averaged 36.3, 35.7 and 28.1 points per game, respectively. Gahr missed the playoffs all three years, however, partly because they give up a lot, too. The past two seasons weren’t too bad, when the Gladiators allowed 22.8 points in 2011 and 23.7 in 2012. But in 2010, they gave up 32.2 points per game.

In other words, if Gahr isn’t on offensively, it is really going to have to play some defense in order to compete. This year, as much as any, the Gladiators will be tested in that regard because they are going to be relying on either a freshman (Coby Lagarde) or sophomore (Nicholas Lopez) at quarterback.

Coach Greg Marshall realizes what his team is going to be up against, especially once San Gabriel Valley League play rolls around.

“Every game is going to be a battle, there are no easy ones for us in the league,” he said. “We have to be able to get the ball back for the offense and try to get ahead so that they can’t just ball-control run on us.

“Everyone is bigger than us, so it’s very important we get a lead fast so we can force other teams to throw it.”

The Gladiators went 5-5 overall in 2012, 2-3 in league. They play host to Lakewood on Aug. 30 in a season opener.